Contactless ticketing for public transport will come into effect in two years time, with infrastructure for the new system due to begin appearing next year.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) says the new technology for buses, trains, trams and regional services will be begin in the Greater Dublin Area, with new payment validators being rolled out in 2027 and contactless payments available in 2028.
They made the announcement at the official opening of Indra Group's new Dublin office, which will act as the operational hub for the Next Generation Ticketing programme.
It will allow passengers to pay for public transport using bank cards, mobile phones and other smart devices.
The NTA says Leap Cards, free travel passes and discounted fare products will continue to be fully supported throughout the transition to the new system ensuring continuity for all passengers.
In 2024, the NTA awarded the company the contract to deliver the programme which will replace the Leap Card system which has processed over €2.8 billion in payments since 2011.
The new system will require an upgrade of around 240 railway station gates, 1,000 station validators across LUAS and Irish Rail, and more than 2,800 on‑bus validators in the Greater Dublin Area alone.
In a statement the NTA said the technology would deliver a state-of-the-art for public transport users which will calcuate fares and deduct them from customers accounts.
"Unlike many international contactless ticketing programmes that are rolled out by city or region, the NTA in partnership with Indra, is delivering a highly complex, end‑to‑end solution designed to ultimately operate across the entire Transport for Ireland network, delivering a single, integrated solution for buses, trains, trams and regional services.
"Beginning in the Greater Dublin Area, the project involves the introduction of secure account‑based payments, where fares are calculated retrospectively and charged directly to customers’ bank accounts, requiring the highest standards of data protection, reliability and customer trust."
It says the new system will also create around 40 new jobs with further recruitment planned by the Spanish multinational behind the project which has worked in Ireland for more than 20 years managing platforms such as tolling on motorways and the Dublin tunnel and the management system for the national rail network.
The Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said he wants to ensure contactless travel is in place by 2028 saying "I will be working closely with the team to ensure it is delivered within the timelines promised".
